Do you really care for Bosnia? Then, show it!

Now is the Time

The United States of America is the only remaining superpower in the world today. It holds the key to the balance of political and economic power across many regions of the world including Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) and the Balkans.

The Advisory Council for Bosnia and Herzegovina (ACBH) is the only organization in the United States that works on behalf of Bosnian Americans in Washington, D.C. to advise and educate members of U.S. Congress and their staff on the situation in BiH and towards a united, multi-ethnic and democratic Bosnia and Herzegovina. The key accomplishments include (for a more complete list please see the 2012 Annual report):

Initiated language and process for the Senate Resolution 134 and the House Resolution 199, also known as the Srebrenica Resolutions, which confirmed that “the policies of aggression and ethnic cleansing as implemented by Serb forces in Bosnia and Herzegovina from 1992 to 1995 meet the terms defining the crime of genocide.” This paved the way for a similar resolution in the EU Parliament.

Established the Congressional Caucus on BiH (Bosnia Caucus), which currently includes 29 members of the U.S. Congress. The Bosnia Caucus consists of members from both political parties and is actively engaged in U.S. policy towards BiH and enhancing the relationship between the two countries.

Organized two Congressional trips to BiH with the generous help from TCA and visited Sarajevo, Srebrenica, Mostar, and Konjic, providing the staffers with first-hand knowledge of the issues that BiH is facing and the need for continued U.S. engagement.

Facilitated the correction of Texas Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 39 which stated that “in April of 1992, the Siege of Sarajevo began, leading to the deaths of more than 2,000 Serbs.” With the help from the American Jewish Committee, ACBH was able to change the language to state that “Over 100,000 Bosniak civilians were killed along with other ethnic groups and minorities between 1992-1995 as a result of a Serbian campaign of genocide and ethnic cleansing in Bosnia and Herzegovina aimed at destroying the multi-ethnic society there.”

Actively engaged in the response to the events surrounding Milorad Dodik’s visit to Columbia University. The Columbia Daily Spectator student publication and other newspapers had reported that individuals with non-Serb sounding names were taken off of the admissions list, and were not allowed to attend the lecture. According to various sources, Gordon Bardos, the long time Assistant Director of the Harriman Institute resigned as a result of the incident.

Mobilized Congresswoman Johnson (D-TX) to issue a statement regarding the 21st anniversary of the start of the Bosnian War, voice concerns over Vuk Jeremic’s panel at United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), and call for the proper recognition of the Srebrenica Genocide at the UN.

For all of these efforts, ACBH has never received a single penny from BiH. Its work has been funded completely by donations. The only paid person is the Executive Director who has been instrumental in making the above list of activities possible.

At a time when Republika Srpska is spending substantial resources to expand their presence in Washington, and the effects of the RS activities are already being felt to the detriment of BiH, it is time to get involved and support ACBH.

Our fellow compatriots, to paraphrase the great Martin Luther King, Jr., now is the time to show that we all really care for Bosnia and Herzegovina. We at ACBH understand that each and every one of you has been helping Bosnia in more ways than one. However, nothing can help Bosnia now as much as the support of the United States of America – and a strong and effective voice in Washington, D.C. can help secure that support. For that, we need a financially stable ACBH.

Now is the time to make that possible. Now is the time to secure the future of our children, our culture, our people and our native homeland. Now is the time to recognize that Bosnia matters and to look Bosnia in the eye and say: “We will not abandon you. We will make you proud.”

ACBH is an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the interests of Bosnian Americans and works to improve relations between the United States and BiH. ACBH advocates for a democratic, multiethnic, and indivisible BiH with a primary goal of advancing the integration of BiH into the EU and NATO.

Mission

The Advisory Council for Bosnia and Herzegovina (ACBH) is the leading independent, non-governmental organization dedicated to promoting the interests of Bosnian Americans and advocating for a united, multi-ethnic and democratic Bosnia and Herzegovina.